From Seaside/ Astoria, Or to Missoula, Mt

US30 to Longview (crossing the river).

I5 goes north to US12 (and beyond to WA20, but that goes through the Seattle metro area). WA20 is a scenic way across northern Washington, but not worth it if starting from Oregon.

If you go south on I5, you can take I205 to cross the Columbia, and then I84 through the Columbia Gorge. This bypasses most of the Portland/Vancouver met area. I84 through the Gorge is clearly scenic. WA14 also passes through the Gorge, but is 2 lane with more grades. Probably not as nice in a big RV, but just as good in a car.

I82/US395 is the most direct route to Spokane, with I90 as the direct route from there.

Or you could pick up US12 in south Washington and take that all the way to Montana. That has grades (dropping to the Snake, climbing to Lolo Pass) and curves, but is scenic and fine if you aren't in a hurry.

US12 from I5 passes south of Mt Rainier, and uses White Pass to cross the Cascades. A nice route too, but more climbing than the I84 river route.

donn0128 wrote:
You could go to Astoria, 20 east to Longview, cross the bridge, head north on I5 and take WA20 I think it is east. This will allow you to bypass big cities.

Hmmm.... The I-5 portion of that route takes you through the most populated portion of WA. Once you get to Olympia, it's like driving through 150 miles worth of City on I-5. Puget Sound Region is one big megalopolis.

I'd scream like heck at the traffic on I-5 from Federal Way all the way until I was able to exit to get to HWY 20.
In summary, that's the last route I'd choose.

tonyandkaren wrote:

enblethen wrote:
I would north on US 101, east on US 30 to Longview area, cross over into WA, north on I-5 to US 12. Then follow US 12 to Missoula.

Another vote for this route!

Me, too! Avoids both Seattle/Tacoma and Portland and is scenic. Plenty of huge RVs use this route.

enblethen wrote:
I would north on US 101, east on US 30 to Longview area, cross over into WA, north on I-5 to US 12. Then follow US 12 to Missoula.

Another vote for this route!

I would north on US 101, east on US 30 to Longview area, cross over into WA, north on I-5 to US 12. Then follow US 12 to Missoula.

You could go to Astoria, 20 east to Longview, cross the bridge, head north on I5 and take WA20 I think it is east. This will allow you to bypass big cities. This if I remember correctly you can take clear east to near the WA/ID border. Head north toward Spokane and I90. Sorry no longer have an atlas so I am going from memory the exact highway numbers.

Thanks donn0128. We are not in a hurry, so looking for a pretty drive through uncharted territory, and prefer to stay away from the larger cities. Just not sure the best way through the pass.
Thanks!

Prettiest? Not sure about that. But easiest is 26,I84,I82,395,I90.
Now thats a mouth full.
26 east thru Portland, I84 through the gorge. From there to east of Spokane is wide open country. You basically wont see a tree until east of Spokane.